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The strikes are the first time Iran has fired missiles at another country in three decades and represent a major escalation of Iran's role in the war in Syria.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on its official news website, Sepah News, that several "ground-to-ground, mid-range missiles" were fired from bases in Kermanshah province, western Iran.

The operation "targeted Takfiri forces in the Deir Ezzor region in Eastern Syria."

Iran's Revolutionary Guard uses the term Takfiri to describe ISIS.

Iran backs Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in his fight against anti-government rebel groups and ISIS, which is primarily based in the Syrian city of Raqqa.

Lt Col (ret) Rick Francona, CNN military analyst, described Iran's move as a "real escalation."

"The selection of targets is interesting. They say they are firing at the same people who planned the attacks in Tehran but it also bolsters the Syrian army effort right now."

Amir Daftari, a CNN producer in Tehran, said that Iran hadn't hidden its support for Assad "but up until now they've led us to believe that they've provided things like military advisers, volunteers and money."

Shiite-majority Iran and Sunni-majority Saudi Arabia have long been embroiled in a sectarian feud.

CNN's Nadeem Muaddi, Shirzad Bozorgmehr and Angela Dewan contributed to this report.

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Iran launches missiles into Syria - CNN.com